20 Hottest Markets in 2001

This article first appeared in the PB September 2002 issue of Pro Builder.

Market	Pop. (thousands)	Permits	Starts/1,000
1. Naples, Fla.	266	8,158	30.7
2. Fort Myers, Fla.	462	10,959	23.7
3. Greeley, Colo.	195	4,301	22.1
4. Myrtle Beach, S.C.	202	4,268	21.1
5. Las Vegas	1,661	31,938	19.2
6. Wilmington, N.C.	241	4,563	19.0
7. Sarasota, Fla.	610	9,648	15.8
8. Raleigh, N.C.	1,232	19,371	15.7
9. Atlanta	4,263	65,268	15.3
10. Charlotte, N.C.	1,545	22,419	14.5
11. Punta Gorda, Fla.	147	2,126	14.5
12. Boise, Idaho	452	6,517	14.4
13. Fort Collins, Colo.	259	3,664	14.1
14. Reno, Nev.	353	4,926	13.9
15. Orlando, Fla.	1,707	23,319	13.7
16. Phoenix	3,384	46,100	13.6
17. Greenville, S.C.	135	1,838	13.6
18. Austin, Texas	1,313	17,814	13.6
19. Colorado Springs, Colo.	533	7,116	13.3
20. Sioux Falls, S.D.	177	2,329	13.2

Source: NAHB Economics Department

NAHB economists rank housing markets for hotness by comparing residential building permit data with population numbers. Among these top 20 markets based on 2001 data, the first thing that jumps out is the number of smaller markets. The boonies really are booming. Who would think of Sioux Falls or Greeley as the land of opportunity? Southwest Florida is a hotbed with three of the top seven markets and four of the top 11. Baby boomers approaching retirement could have something to do with that. Colorado markets were jumping last year, with three on the list (and Denver poised on the edge at No. 21). However, those markets have slowed considerably this year. The Carolinas also look strong with five on the list.

PB Topical Ref